Instant Messaging Services (IMS) have become incredibly popular in recent years. With apps like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and iMessage, we can stay connected to friends and family no matter where we are. But with so many options available, do you really need IMS on your phone?
What are the benefits of using an IMS app?
There are several key benefits that make IMS apps worthwhile for most smartphone users:
- Connect anytime, anywhere – IMS apps allow you to send messages, photos, videos, voice messages and more, as long as you have an internet connection. This makes staying in touch on-the-go incredibly easy.
- Group chats – Most IMS apps let you set up group chats with multiple people, allowing for easy communication within teams, families, or groups of friends.
- Cost-effective – Using data or WiFi to send IMS messages is much cheaper than sending traditional SMS text messages.
- Extra features – Apps like WhatsApp and Telegram have features like document sharing, voice and video calling, end-to-end encryption, and more.
- Popularity – With billions of users, apps like WhatsApp and Messenger have become incredibly common communication platforms. Chances are, most of your friends and family already use them.
What are the downsides of IMS apps?
However, there are some potential downsides to keep in mind as well:
- Battery drain – Constantly running an IMS app to stay connected can drain your battery more quickly.
- Notifications – Getting frequent notifications from group chats or active conversations can be disruptive or annoying at times.
- Privacy concerns – Some apps have faced criticism over privacy protections and data collection policies.
- Dependency – Relying primarily on a single app for communication can backfire if that service has an outage.
- Distraction – IMS apps make it easier to get distracted by non-stop social media-style communication.
Key factors to consider
When deciding if you really need IMS capability on your smartphone, here are some key factors to consider:
- Your usage habits – Do you regularly communicate with groups or contacts who use IMS apps? If so, you’ll definitely want access.
- Your phone plan – Many carriers now offer unlimited messaging even without an IMS app. But some more limited plans still charge per SMS.
- Data limits – Heavy IMS app usage can eat into your monthly data allowance if you don’t primarily use WiFi.
- Your phone’s capabilities – Most modern smartphones have IMS integrated seamlessly. But some older or more basic models may not.
- Travel habits – Frequent international travelers get even more benefit from IMS for cheap communication while abroad.
- Business needs – Those who need to communicate frequently for work often find IMS apps indispensable.
The top IMS app options
If you do decide you need IMS capability, what are the top apps to consider? Here are some of the most popular choices:
| App | Key Features |
|---|---|
| End-to-end encryption, group chats, international use, voice and video calling. | |
| Facebook Messenger | Deep Facebook integration, chat bots, group video calls. |
| iMessage | Seamless experience on iOS, built-in encryption, iOS-exclusive features. |
| Telegram | Focus on security, supports very large groups. |
| Snapchat | Send photo/video messages that self-destruct. |
| Signal | Strongest encryption, minimal collects data. |
| Google Chat | Integrated with Gmail and Google Workspace. |
| Slack | For team communication, robust work-centered features. |
Key things to evaluate include security and privacy protections, costs, functionality, and which service your personal contacts use most frequently.
IMS alternatives
While most smartphone owners choose to use at least one mainstream IMS app, there are some alternatives to consider:
- SMS/MMS – Still reliable fallback options, especially with unlimited texting plans.
- Alternative messengers – Options like Wire or Signal offer enhanced privacy.
- Email – Tried and true way to exchange longer messages and attachments.
- Social media DMs – Platforms like Twitter or Instagram allow direct messages.
- Communication apps – Apps like Skype or Facetime focus on video/voice calls over messaging.
- Gaming chat tools – In-game chat in multiplayer games can connect gaming friends.
However, most these alternatives lack the flexibility, features, and critical mass of mainstream IMS apps.
Choosing which IMS apps to use
Given the variety of options, how do you choose which IMS apps are worth using? Here are some tips:
- Take stock of what your contacts use – Connect on apps that overlap with your friends/family.
- Audit your usage – See which apps you currently use most for messaging.
- Consider app strengths – Use different apps for different purposes based on strengths.
- Limit notifications – Turn off or limit notifications from apps that aren’t priorities.
- Enhance privacy – Turn off read receipts and last seen timestamps when possible.
- Delete unused apps – Get rid of apps that you never use to declutter.
- Stay organized – Use features like pinning or starring to keep key chats accessible.
By carefully choosing just one or two IMS apps to use regularly, you can stay connected effectively without feeling overwhelmed.
My personal take
Personally, I think most smartphone users benefit greatly from having one or two key IMS apps installed. The flexibility to communicate anytime, anywhere, with both individual contacts and groups is extremely valuable.
I mainly use WhatsApp to keep in touch with friends and family locally and internationally. The ability to share photos, voice messages, documents, and my location easily is unmatched. I also have Facebook Messenger installed to connect with acquaintances who I’m not comfortable giving my phone number to. Between those two apps, almost everyone I know is covered.
To manage notifications, I have disabled nearly all notification sounds/pop-ups and only check my IMS apps on my own schedule 2-3 times per day. This prevents me from feeling distracted or overwhelmed. I also minimize battery drain by enabling background app refresh restrictions.
For privacy, I have fine-tuned app permissions and disabled unnecessary features like read receipts. I am satisfied with WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption and comfortable with Facebook’s data policies for my usage. But users with greater privacy concerns may prefer an app like Signal instead.
Overall, I find that having major IMS apps installed improves my ability to nurture real-world relationships and share experiences. But smart configuration and discipline around usage is important to avoid some of the potential downsides.
Conclusion
Instant messaging services have become almost essential apps for most smartphone owners today. With benefits like constant connectivity, group chat capabilities, and cost savings, major IMS apps like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger provide huge value.
However, battery drain, distraction, notifications and privacy are certainly factors to consider. Finding a healthy balance through thoughtful app selection and usage habits allows you to reap the upsides of IMS while minimizing the downsides.
Considering your own communication needs and patterns is the best way to decide if you personally require IMS access on your device. For many people, the benefits will clearly outweigh the costs. But more minimalist users may be able to remove IMS bloatware and unnecessary apps if they are disciplined about limiting usage.
At the end of the day, IMS apps are simply tools. Like any tool, they can be extremely useful when deployed intentionally to enhance your life. Or they can become burdensome and distracting if misused. Being thoughtful about why, when and how you communicate is always wise – whether you do so via carrier pigeon or the latest and greatest chat app!